Alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines with improved biodegradability

ABSTRACT

Described herein is an alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or an alkoxylated polyamine according to the general formula (I) 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     Also described herein is a process for preparing such alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines as well as a method of using such compounds within, for example, cleaning compositions and/or in fabric and home care products. Also described herein are compositions or products that include the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine.

The present invention relates to an alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or an alkoxylated polyamine according to the general formula (I)

in which the variables E1 to E5, R, B, y and z are defined below.

Various states have already introduced initiatives to ban microplastics especially in cosmetic products. Beyond this ban of insoluble microplastic, there is an intense dialog on future requirements for soluble polymers used in consumer products. It is therefore highly desirable to identify new better biodegradable ingredients for such applications. This problem is predominantly serious for polymers produced by radical polymerization based on carbon-only backbones (a backbone not containing heteroatoms such as oxygen), since a carbon-only backbone is particularly difficult to degrade for microorganisms.

The present invention further relates to a process for preparing such alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines as well as to the use of such compounds within, for example, cleaning compositions and/or in fabric and home care products. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to those compositions or products as such.

WO 2015/028191 relates to water-soluble alkoxylated polyalkylene imines having an inner block of polyethylene oxide comprising 5 to 18 polyethylene oxide units, a middle block of polyalkylene oxide comprising 1 to 5 polyalkylene oxide units and an outer block of polyethylene oxide comprising 2 to 14 polyethylene oxide units. The middle block is formed from polypropylene oxide units, polybutylene oxide units and/or polypentene oxide units. In addition, WO 2015/028191 relates to water-soluble alkoxylated polyamines.

WO2020/187648 also relates to polyalkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines according to a general formula (I). The compounds described therein may be employed within, for example, cosmetic formulations. However, the specific compounds disclosed within WO2020/187648 differ from the respective compounds of the present invention in respect of the definition of the substituents, such as E1 and E5, which are defined within the present invention according formulas (IIa) or (IIb). Such substituents according to formula (IIa) and/or (IIb) are not disclosed within WO2020/187648.

GB-A 2 562 172 relates to specific functionalized polyalkylene imine polymers according to general formula (I), which compositions are employed as pigment dispersions. GB-A 2 562 172 does not disclose any alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or alkoxylated polyamines according to the general formula (I) of the present invention, wherein substituents, such as E1 to E5, are defined according to general formula (IIa) and/or formula (IIb).

WO 95/32272 describes ethoxylated and/or propoxylated polyalkylene amine polymers to boost soil dispersing performance, wherein said polymers have an average ethoxylation/propoxylation of from 0.5 to 10 per nitrogen.

The object of the present invention is to provide novel compounds based on a polyalkylene imine backbone or a polyamine backbone. Furthermore, those novel compounds should have beneficial properties when being employed within compositions in respect of their biodegradability.

The object is achieved by an alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or alkoxylated polyamine of the general formula (I)

in which the variables are each defined as follows:

-   -   R represents identical or different, i) linear or branched         C₂-C₁₂—alkylene radicals or ii) an etheralkyl unit of the         following formula (III):

-   -   -   in which the variables are each defined as follows:         -   R10_(,) R11_(,) R12 represent identical or different, linear             or branched C₂-C₆-alkylene radicals and         -   d is an integer having a value in the range of 0 to 50 or         -   iii) C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radicals optionally substituted             with at least one C₁-C₃-alkyl;

    -   B represents a continuation of the alkoxylated polyalkylene         imine by branching;

    -   y and z are each an integer having a value in the range of 0 to         150, under the provisio that both z and y are 0 in case R are         C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radicals optionally substituted with at         least one C₁-C₃-alkyl;

    -   E1, E2 and E4 represent an identical or different residue         according to formula (IIa) or an identical or different residue         according to formula (IIb),         -   wherein the residue according to formula (IIa) is an             alkylenoxy unit defined as follows

-   -   -   in which the variables are each defined as follows:         -   R¹ represents C₂-C₂₂-(1,2-alkylene) radicals;         -   R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl and/or C₇             ⁻C₂₂-aralkyl in case z is an integer ≥1 within general             formula (I), or         -   R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl and/or             C₇-C₂₂-aralkyl in case z is 0 within general formula (I);         -   R³ represents linear or branched C₁-C₂₂-alkylene radicals;         -   m is an integer having a value of at least 1 to 10;         -   n is an integer having a value of at least 5 to 100;         -   and wherein the residue according to formula (IIb) is an             alkylenoxy unit defined as follows

-   -   -   in which the variables are defined as follows:         -   R¹ represents C₂-C₂₂-(1,2-alkylene) radicals;         -   R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl and/or C₇             ⁻C₂₂-aralkyl;         -   n is an integer having a value of at least 5 to 100;

    -   E3 is hydrogen in case E2 is a residue according to formula         (IIa) or E3 is a residue according to formula (IIb);

    -   E5 is hydrogen in case E4 is a residue according to formula         (IIa) or E5 is a residue according to formula (IIb);

wherein 20 to 100% of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 50 to 100% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).

The alkoxylated compounds according to the present invention may be used, for example, within cleaning compositions and/or fabric and home care products. They lead to an at least comparable and preferably even improved anti redeposition and cleaning performance within such compositions or products, for example in respect of redeposition of soils and removing of stains, compared to corresponding polymers or compounds according to the prior art. Beyond that, the alkoxylated compounds according to the present invention lead to an improved biodegradability when being employed within such compositions or products, for example within cleaning compositions and/or fabric and home care products.

Alkoxylated compounds with enhanced biodegradation according to the current invention can be used advantageously in washing and cleaning compositions, where they support the removal of hydrophobic soils from textile or hard surfaces by the surfactants and thus improve the washing and cleaning performances of the formulations. Moreover, they bring about better dispersion of the removed soil in the washing or cleaning liquor and prevent its redeposition onto the surfaces of the washed or cleaned materials.

For the purposes of the present invention, definitions such as C₁-C₂₂-alkyl, as defined above for, for example, the radical R² in formula (IIa), mean that this substituent (radical or residue) is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms. The alkyl radical can be either linear or branched or optionally cyclic. Alkyl radicals which have both a cyclic component and a linear component likewise come within this definition. The same applies to other alkyl radicals such as a C₁-C₄-alkyl radical. Examples of alkyl radicals are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, sec-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, 2-ethylhexyl, tert-butyl (tert-Bu/t-Bu), pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, cyclohexyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl or dodecyl.

The term “C₂-C₁₂-alkylene” as used herein refers to a saturated, divalent straight chain or branched hydrocarbon chains of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or up to 12 carbon atoms, examples including ethane-1,2-diyl (“ethylene”), propane-1,3-diyl, propane-1,2-diyl, 2-methyl-propane-1,2-diyl, 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diyl, butane-1,4-diyl, butane-1,3-diyl (=1-methylpropane-1,3-diyl), butane-1,2-diyl (“1,2-butylene”), butane-2,3-diyl, 2-methyl-butane-1,3-diyl, 3-methyl-butaen-1,3-diyl (=1,1-dimethylpropane-1,3-diyl), pentane-1,4-diyl, pentane-1,5-diyl, pentane-2,5-diyl, 2-methylpentane-2,5-diyl (=1,1-dimethylbutane-1,3-diyl) and hexane-1,6-diyl.

The term “C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene” as used herein refers to saturated, divalent hydrocarbons of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 carbon atoms wherein all or at least a part of the respective number of carbon atoms form a cycle (ring). In case not all of the respective number of carbon atoms form a cycle, such remaining carbon atoms (i. e. those carbon atoms not forming a cycle) form a methane-1,1-diyl (“methylene”) fragment or an ethane-1,2-diyl (“ethylene”) fragment of the respective C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radicals. One of the two valencies of said respective methylene or ethylene fragments is bound to a neighbouring nitrogen atom within general formula (I), whereas the second valency of said fragments is bound to the cyclic fragment of said C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radical.

Expressed in other words, a C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radical may comprise, in addition to its cyclic fragment, also some non-cyclic fragments building a bridge or a linker of the cyclic fragment of the C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radical to the neighbouring nitrogen atom within general formula (I). The number of such carbon linker atoms is usually not more than 3, preferably 1 or 2. For example, a C₇-cycloalkylene radical may contain one C₆-cycle and one C₁-linker.

The respective hydrocarbon cycle itself may be unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted by C₁-C₃-alkyl. It has to be noted that the carbon atoms of the respective C₁-C₃-alkyl substituents are not considered for determination of the number of carbon atoms of the C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radical. In contrast to that, the number of carbon atoms of such a C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radical is solely determined without any substituents, but only by the number of carbon atoms of the cyclic fragment and optionally present carbon linker atoms (methylene or ethylene fragments).

Examples for C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene include cyclopentane-1,2-diyl, cyclohexane-1,2-diyl, cyclohexane-1,3-diyl, cyclohexane-1,4-diyl, 3-(methane-1,1-diyI)-cyclohexane-1,3-diyl, cycloheptane-1,3-diyl or cyclooctane-1,4-diyl, each of the aforementioned radicals may be at least monosubstituted with C₁-C₃-alkyl.

It is preferred that the respective C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radical is employed as a mixture of two or more individual cycloalkylene radicals having the same ring size. It is particularly preferred to employ a mixture of cyclohexane-1,3-diyl monosubstituted with methyl in position 2 or 4, respectively, of the cycle. The ratio of the two compounds is preferably in a range of 95:5 to 75:25, most preferably about 85:15 (4-methyl versus 2-methyl).

3-(methane-1,1-diyl)-cyclohexane-1,3-diyl is a preferred example for a C₆-C₁₀-cyclo-alkylene radical having a non-cyclic fragment in addition to its cyclic fragment. For this specific case, the non-cyclic fragment is a C₁-linker and the cyclic fragment is a C₆-cycle resulting in a C₇-cycloalkylene radical. 3-(methane-1,1-diyl)-cyclohexane-1,3-diyl may also be substituted with at least one C₁-C₃-alkyl, preferably with three methyl groups, in particular 3,5,5-trimethyl. The latter one is a fragment of isophorone diamine, which may be employed as backbone with general formula (I).

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “aralkyl”, as defined above for, for example, the radical R² in formula (IIa), means that the substituent (radical) is an aromatic (“ar”) combined with an alkyl substituent (“alkyl”). The aromatic “ar” part can be a monocyclic, bicyclic or optionally polycyclic aromatic. In the case of polycyclic aromatics, individual rings can optionally be fully or partially saturated. Preferred examples of aryl are phenyl, naphthyl or anthracyl, in particular phenyl.

Within the context of the present invention, the term “polyalkylene imine” differs from the corresponding term “polyamine” especially in respect of the branching of the corresponding backbone. Whereas polyamines in the context of the present invention are (predominantly) linear compounds in respect of its backbone (without consideration of any alkoxylation), containing primary and/or secondary amino moieties but no tertiary amino moieties within its backbone, the corresponding polyalkylene imines are, according to the present invention, (predominantly) branched molecules containing in respect of its backbone (without consideration of any alkoxylation), in addition to the primary and/or secondary amino moieties, mandatorily tertiary amino moieties, which cause the branching of the (linear) main chain into several side chains within the polymeric backbone (basic skeleton). Polyalkylene imines, both as backbone and as alkoxylated compounds, are those compounds falling under the definition of general formula (I), wherein z is an integer of at least 1. In contrast to that, polyamines, both as backbone and as alkoxylated compounds, are those compounds of formula (I), wherein z is 0.

By consequence, the inventive alkoxylated polyalkylene imines have a basic skeleton (backbone), which comprises primary, secondary and tertiary amine nitrogen atoms which are joined by alkylene radicals R (as defined below) and are in the form of the following moieties in random arrangement:

-   -   primary amino moieties which terminate the main chain and the         side chains of the basic skeleton and whose hydrogen atoms are         subsequently replaced by alkylenoxy units:

[H₂N—R

and —NH₂

-   -   secondary amino moieties whose hydrogen atom is subsequently         replaced by alkylenoxy units:

-   -   tertiary amino moieties which branch the main chain and the side         chains:

For the sake of completeness, it is indicated that the variable B indicating the branching of the polyalkylene imine backbone of compounds according to general formula (I) may contain fragments, such as —[—NH—R]_(y)—, H₂N—R or combinations thereof, including a two times, three times or even higher degree of branching. Said tertiary amino moieties are not present in the backbone of polyamine compounds.

In order to obtain the respective alkoxylated compounds, the hydrogen atoms of the primary and/or secondary amino groups of the basic polyalkylene imine or polyamine skeleton are replaced by alkylenoxy units of the formula (IIa) or (IIb) as defined below. In case E2 or E4 is defined according to general formula (IIa), the respective corresponding hydrogen atom of the primary amino function of the backbone (E3 or E5) stays unamended due to the formulation of an amido group.

Within the context of the present invention, the term “polyalkylene imine backbone” relates to those fragments of the inventive alkoxylated polyalkylene imines which are not alkoxylated. The polyalkylene imine backbone is employed within the present invention as an educt to be reacted first with at least one lactone or hydroxy carbon acid and then alkoxylated with at least one epoxide in order to obtain the inventive alkoxylated polyalkylene imines (“alkoxylated compounds”). Polyalkylene imines as such (backbones or not alkoxylated compounds) are known to a person skilled in the art. For example, the polyalkylene imine backbone can be derived from the compounds according to general formula (I) by replacing the variable E1 to E5 with hydrogen atoms (H).

Within the context of the present invention, the term “polyamine backbone” relates to those fragments of the inventive alkoxylated polyamines which are not alkoxylated. The polyamine backbone is employed within the present invention as an educt to be reacted first with at least one lactone or hydroxy carbon acid and then alkoxylated with at least one epoxide in order to obtain the inventive alkoxylated polyamines (“alkoxylated compounds”). Polyamines as such (backbones or not alkoxylated compounds) are known to a person skilled in the art. For example, the polyamine backbone can be derived from the compounds according to general formula (I) by replacing the variable E1 to E5 with hydrogen atoms (H).

Within the context of the present invention, the term “NH-functionality” is defined as follows: In case of (predominantly) linear amines, such as di- and oligo amines like N4 amine or hexamethylene diamine, the structure itself gives information about the content of primary, secondary and tertiary amines. A primary amino group (—NH2) has two NH-functionalities, a secondary amino group only one NH functionality, and a tertiary amino group, by consequence, has no reactive NH functionality. In case of (predominantly) branched polyethylene imines, such as those as obtained from polymerization of the monomer ethylene imine (C2H5N), the respective polymer (polyethylene imine) contains a mixture of primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups. The exact distribution of primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups can be determined as described in Lukovkin G. M., Pshezhetsky V. S., Murtazaeva G. A.: Europ. Polymer Journal 1973, 9, 559-565 and St. Pierre T., Geckle M.: ACS Polym. Prep. 1981, 22, 128-129. In case of the modification with lactone or hydroxyacids and alkylene oxides it is assumed, that polyethylene imine consist of a 1:1:1 mixture of primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups, and therefore, an amount resembling the molar mass of the monomer employed, such as ethylene imine, contributes in average with one (reactive) NH-functionality. This is the molecular weight of the repeating unit.

The invention is specified in more detail as follows:

The invention relates to an alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or alkoxylated polyamine of the general formula (I)

in which the variables are each defined as follows:

-   -   R represents identical or different, i) linear or branched         C₂-C_(12—)alkylene radicals or ii) an etheralkyl unit of the         following formula (III):

-   -   -   in which the variables are each defined as follows:         -   R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² represent identical or different, linear or             branched C₂-C₆-alkylene radicals and         -   d is an integer having a value in the range of 0 to 50 or         -   iii) C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radicals optionally substituted             with at least one C₁-C₃-alkyl;

    -   B represents a continuation of the alkoxylated polyalkylene         imine by branching;

    -   y and z are each an integer having a value in the range of 0 to         150, under the provisio that both z and y are 0 in case R are         C₆-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radicals optionally substituted with at         least one C₁-C₃-alkyl;

    -   E1, E2 and E4 represent an identical or different residue         according to formula (IIa) or an identical or different residue         according to formula (IIb),         -   wherein the residue according to formula (IIa) is an             alkylenoxy unit defined as follows

-   -   -   in which the variables are each defined as follows:         -   R¹ represents C₂-C₂₂-(1,2-alkylene) radicals;         -   R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl and/or             C₇-C₂₂-aralkyl in case z is an integer 1 within general             formula (I), or         -   R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl and/or             C₇-C₂₂-aralkyl in case z is 0 within general formula (I);         -   R³ represents linear or branched C₁-C₂₂-alkylene radicals;         -   m is an integer having a value of at least 1 to 10;         -   n is an integer having a value of at least 5 to 100;         -   and wherein the residue according to formula (IIb) is an             alkylenoxy unit defined as follows

-   -   -   in which the variables are defined as follows:         -   R¹ represents C₂-C₂₂-(1,2-alkylene) radicals;         -   R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl and/or             C₇-C₂₂-aralkyl;             -   n is an integer having a value of at least 5 to 100;

    -   E3 is hydrogen in case E2 is a residue according to formula         (IIa) or E3 is a residue according to formula (IIb);

    -   E5 is hydrogen in case E4 is a residue according to formula         (IIa) or E5 is a residue according to formula (IIb);

wherein 20 to 100% of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 50 to 100% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).

For the sake of completeness, it is indicated that the variable B indicating the branching of the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine compounds according to general formula (I) may contain fragments, such as —[—NE-R]_(y)—, E₂N—R or combinations thereof, including a two times, three times or even higher degree of branching. Said tertiary amino moieties caused by the branching of the backbone are not present within alkoxylated polyamine compounds according to general formula (I) since the variable z is 0 for those kind of compounds within formula (I).

Within the compounds according to general formula (I), it is preferred that R represents identical or different,

-   -   i) linear or branched C₂-C_(12—)alkylene radicals, preferably R         is ethylene, propylene or hexamethylene, or     -   ii) C₅-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radicals optionally substituted with at         least one C₁-C₃-alkyl, preferably R is at least one         C₆-C₇-cycloalkylene radical substituted with at least one methyl         or ethyl.

It is even more preferred for the alkoxylated compounds of the present invention that within formulas (IIa) and/or (IIb) the variables are each defined as follows:

-   -   R¹ represents 1,2-ethylene, 1,2-propylene or 1,2-butylene, most         preferably 1,2-ethylene; and/or     -   R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl, preferably hydrogen,         methyl and/or ethyl, most preferably hydrogen; and/or     -   R³ represents linear or branched C₂-C₁₀-alkylene radicals,         preferably linear or branched C₂-C₅-alkylene radicals; and/or     -   m is an integer having a value in the range of 1 to 5,         preferably of 1 to 3; and/or     -   n is an integer having a value in the range of 8 to 40,         preferably of 10 to 25; and/or 50 to 100%, preferably 80 to         100%, even more preferably 90 to 100%, most preferably more than         99% of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to         formula (IIa) and 80 to 100%, most preferably 85 to 95% of the         total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (II b).

It is also preferred for the alkoxylated compounds according to general formula (I) of the present invention that the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the polyalkylene imine backbone or of the polyamine backbone lies in the range of 50 to 10 000 g/mol, preferably in the range of 500 to 5000 g/mol, more preferably in the range of 600 to 2 000 g/mol.

The person skilled in the art knows how to determine/measure the respective weight average molecular weight (M_(w)). This can be done, for example, by size exclusion chromatography (such as GPC). Preferably, M_(w) values are determined by the method as follows: OECD TG 118 (1996), which means in detail

OECD (1996), Test No. 118: Determination of the Number-Average Molecular Weight and the Molecular Weight Distribution of Polymers using Gel Permeation Chromatography, OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 1, OECD Publishing, Paris, also available on the internet, for example, under https://doi. org/10.1787/9789264069848-en.

Alkoxylated polyalkylene imine compounds according to formula (I) are preferably compounds wherein the variables are each defined as follows:

-   -   R is ethylene or propylene, preferably ethylene;     -   the sum of y+z is an integer having a value in the range of 9 to         120, preferably in the range of 10 to 20.

It is even more preferred for alkoxylated polyalkylene imine compounds according to general formula (I) that the variables are defined as follows:

-   -   R is ethylene or propylene, preferably ethylene;     -   the sum of y+z is an integer having a value in the range of 9 to         120, preferably in the range of 10 to 20;     -   R¹ represents 1,2-ethylene;     -   R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl, preferably hydrogen,         methyl and/or ethyl, most preferably hydrogen;     -   R³ represents linear or branched C₂-C₁₀-alkylene radicals,         preferably linear or branched C₂-C₅-alkylene radicals;     -   m is an integer having a value in the range of 1 to 5,         preferably of 1 to 3;     -   n is an integer having a value in the range of 8 to 40,         preferably of 10 to 25;

50 to 100%, preferably 80 to 100%, even more preferably 90 to 100%, most preferably more than 99 of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 80 to 100%, most preferably 85 to 95% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine compounds according to general formula (I) are those compounds wherein the variables are each defined as follows:

-   -   R is ethylene;     -   the sum of y+z is an integer having a value in the range of 10         to 20;     -   R¹ represents 1,2-ethylene;     -   R² represents hydrogen;     -   R³ represents linear or branched C₂-C₅-alkylene radicals;     -   m is an integer having a value in the range of 1 to 3;     -   n is an integer having a value in the range of 10 to 25;

wherein 90 to 100%, most preferably more than 99%, of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 85 to 95% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).

In another embodiment of the present invention the alkoxylated compounds falling under the definition of general formula (I) are alkoxylated polyamines. For those kind of compounds the variable z is 0.

The inventive alkoxylated polyamines are preferably, but not limited to, alkoxylated hexamethylenediamine, alkoxylated ethylenediamine, alkoxylated 1,3-diaminopropane, alkoxylated neopentanediamine, alkoxylated diethylentriamine, alkoxylated octamethylenediamine or alkoxylated 1,2-propylenediamine.

The R radicals connecting the amine nitrogen atoms may be identical or different, linear or branched C₂-C₁₂-alkylene radicals, preferably C₂-C₆-alkylene radicals. A preferred branched alkylene is 1,2-propylene. A particularly preferred alkylene radical R is ethylene or hexamethylene. However, it is also preferred that the radical R is an ether alkyl unit according to formula (III) as defined above or C₅-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radicals as defined above.

In case the alkoxylated compounds according to general formula (I) are alkoxylated polyamines, it is preferred that the variables are defined as follows:

-   -   y is an integer having a value in the range of 0 to 10;     -   z is 0;     -   R represents identical or different, linear or branched         C₂-C_(12—)alkylene radicals or an etheralkyl unit according to         formula (III), wherein         -   d is from 1 to 5, and         -   R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² are independently selected from linear or             branched C₃ to C₄ alkylene radicals.

It is even more preferred for those kinds of alkoxylated polyamine compounds according to formula (I) that

-   -   R¹ represents 1,2-ethylene;     -   R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl, preferably hydrogen,         methyl and/or ethyl, most preferably hydrogen;     -   R³ represents linear or branched C₂-C₁₀-alkylene radicals,         preferably linear or branched C₂-C₅-alkylene radicals;     -   m is an integer having a value in the range of 1 to 5,         preferably of 1 to 3;     -   n is an integer having a value in the range of 8 to 40,         preferably of 10 to 25;     -   y is an integer having a value in the range of 1 to 10;

wherein 50 to 100%, preferably 80 to 100%, even more preferably 90 to 100%, most preferably more than 99%, of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 80 to 100%, most preferably 90 to 100% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).

In a preferred embodiment for alkoxylated polyamine compounds according to formula (I), the variables are defined as follows:

-   -   R is ethylene or propylene;     -   R¹ represents 1,2-ethylene;     -   R² represents hydrogen;     -   R³ represents linear or branched C₂-C₅-alkylene radicals;     -   m is an integer having a value in the range of 1 to 3;     -   n is an integer having a value in the range of 10 to 25;     -   y is an integer having a value in the range of 2 to 4;

wherein 90 to 100%, most preferably more than 99%, of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 90 to 100% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).

In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the compounds according to general formula (I) are alkoxylated polyamines, the variable R is based on C₅-C₈-cycloalkylene radicals. Said C₅-C₈-cycloalkylene radicals may be unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted by C₁-C₃-alkyl. Within this embodiment, it is preferred that the variables of general formula (I) are defined as follows:

-   -   y is 0;     -   z is 0;     -   R represents identical or different C₅-C₁₀-cycloalkylene         radicals optionally substituted with at least one C₁-C₃-alkyl,         -   preferably R is at least one C₆-C₇-cycloalkylene radical             substituted with at least one methyl or ethyl,         -   more preferably R is at least one C₆-cycloalkylene radical             mono-substituted with methyl or at least one             C₇-cycloalkylene radical substituted with at least one             methyl, preferably trisubstituted with methyl, most             preferably R is a mixture of 4-methyl-cyclohexane-1,3-diyl             and 2-methyl-cyclohexane-1,3-diyl.

It is even more preferred for those kinds of alkoxylated polyamine compounds according to formula (I) that

-   -   R¹ represents 1,2-ethylene;     -   R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl, preferably hydrogen,         methyl and/or ethyl, most preferably hydrogen;     -   R³ represents linear or branched C₂-C₁₀-alkylene radicals,         preferably linear or branched C₂-C₅-alkylene radicals;     -   m is an integer having a value in the range of 1 to 5,         preferably of 1 to 3;     -   n is an integer having a value in the range of 8 to 40,         preferably of 10 to 25;     -   y is 0;

wherein 50 to 100%, preferably 80 to 100%, even more preferably 90 to 100%, most preferably more than 99%, of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 80 to 100%, most preferably 90 to 100% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).

In a preferred embodiment for alkoxylated polyamine compounds according to formula (I), the variables are defined as follows:

-   -   R is ethylene or propylene;     -   R¹ represents 1,2-ethylene;     -   R² represents hydrogen;     -   R³ represents linear or branched C₂-C₅-alkylene radicals;     -   m is an integer having a value in the range of 1 to 3;     -   n is an integer having a value in the range of 10 to 25;     -   y is 0;

wherein 90 to 100%, most preferably more than 99%, of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 90 to 100% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the inventive alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or alkoxylated polyamine contains 1 to 30% of residues according to formula (IV), preferably 3 to 20%, most preferably 5 to 10% in relation to the total amount of residues according to formula (IIa) and formula (IIb).

The inventive alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines may also be quaternized. A suitable degree of quaternization is up to 100%, in particular from 10 to 95%. The quaternization is effected preferably by introducing C₁-C₂₂-alkyl groups, C₁-C₄-alkyl groups and/or C₇-C₂₂-aralkyl groups and may be undertaken in a customary manner by reaction with corresponding alkyl halides and dialkyl sulfates.

The quaternization may be advantageous in order to adjust the alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or the alkoxylated polyamines to the particular composition such as cosmetic compositions in which they are to be used, and to achieve better compatibility and/or phase stability of the formulation.

The quaternization of alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines is achieved preferably by introducing C₁-C₂₂ alkyl, C₁-C₄-alkyl groups and/or C₇-C₂₂ aralkyl, aryl or alkylaryl groups and may be undertaken in a customary manner by reaction with corresponding alkyl-, aralkyl-halides and dialkylsulfates, as described for example in WO 09/060059.

Quaternization can be accomplished, for example, by reacting an alkoxylated polyamine or alkoxylated polyalkylene imine with an alkylation agent such as a C₁-C₄-alkyl halide, for example with methyl bromide, methyl chloride, ethyl chloride, methyl iodide, n-butyl bromide, isopropyl bromide, or with an aralkyl halide, for example with benzyl chloride, benzyl bromide or with a di-C₁-C₂₂-alkyl sulfate in the presence of a base, especially with dimethyl sulfate or with diethyl sulfate. Suitable bases are, for example, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.

The amount of alkylating agent determines the amount of quaternization of the amino groups in the polymer, i.e. the amount of quaternized moieties.

The amount of the quaternized moieties can be calculated from the difference of the amine number in the non-quaternized amine and the quaternized amine.

The amine number can be determined according to the method described in DIN 16945.

The quaternization can be carried out without any solvent. However, a solvent or diluent like water, acetonitrile, dimethylsulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone, etc. may be used. The reaction temperature is usually in the range from 10° C. to 150° C. and is preferably from 50° C. to 100° C.

Another subject of the present invention is a process for preparing the alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or the alkoxylated polyamines as described above. Within this process, a polyalkylene imine backbone or a polyamine backbone is first reacted with at least one lactone and/or at least one hydroxy carbon acid and then with at least one C₂-C₂₂-epoxide in order to obtain the respective alkoxylated compounds.

It has to be noted that the alkoxylation process as such, wherein a backbone of polyalkylene imines or polyamines is reacted with alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, is known to a person skilled in the art. The same methods can be applied for the present invention, wherein the respective backbones are first reacted with lactones or hydroxyl carbon acids, and the alkylation process is carried out afterwards. The reaction of the first step between the respective backbone and the lactones etc. is known to the skilled person.

It is preferred within said process that per mol of N—H functionalities in the polyalkylene imine or polyamine, the respective polyalkylene imine backbone or polyamine backbone is reacted with at least 0.05 moles, preferably at least 0.2 moles, of at least one lactone and/or at least one hydroxy carbon acid and then with at least 5 moles of least one C₂-C₂₂-epoxide.

It has to be noted within the context of the method according to the present invention that those primary amino moieties of the respective backbone, which are reacted within the first reaction step with at least one lactone and/or at least one hydroxy carbon acid are transferred into an amido moiety wherein one of the originally two hydrogen atoms of the respective primary amino moiety is replaced by a fragment originating from the respective lactone or hydroxyl carbon acid, whereas the second hydrogen atom of the primary amino moiety of the backbone does not get substituted by this reaction. Beyond that, such a second hydrogen atom of the primary amino moiety of the backbone does also not become substituted within the second reaction step according to the present invention when the respective intermediate backbone is alkoxylated with at least one C₂-C₂₂-epoxide. In addition, each fragment of the intermediate backbone obtained in the first reaction step, which originates from the at least one lactone and/or at least one hydroxyl carbon acid, is reacted with at least one C₂-C₂₂-epoxide within the second reaction step of the method according to the present invention. The conversion rate of the respective step can be determined according to methods known to the skilled person, such as NMR-spectroscopy. For example, both the first reaction step and the second reaction step may be monitored by ¹³C-NMR-spectroscopy and/or ¹H-NMR-spectroscopy, as shown below within the experimental section in more detail.

In connection with the first step of the method according to the present invention for preparing an alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or an alkoxylated polyamine according to general formula (I) as defined above, the respective polyalkylene imine backbone or polyamine backbone is first reacted with at least one lactone and/or at least one hydroxy-carbon acid. This first reaction step as such is known to a person skilled in the art.

However, it is preferred within this first reaction step that the reaction temperature is in a range between 50 to 200° C., more preferred between 70 to 180° C., most preferred in a range between 100 to 160° C.

This first reaction step may be carried out in the presence of at least one solvent and/or at least one catalyst. However, it is preferred within the first reaction step that the respective step is carried out without any solvent and/or without any catalyst. Suitable solvents are preferably selected from xylene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran (THF), methyl-tert. butyl ether or diethyl ether. Preferred catalysts are selected from alkali metal hydroxides or alkali metal alkoxides, such as KOMe, NaOMe or other catalysts suitable for ring-opening polymerization by lactones like tin (II) octoate.

As described above, the second step of the method according to the present invention as such (alkoxylation) is known to a person skilled in the art. The alkoxylation as such (second reaction step of the method according to the present invention) may be carried out as a one-step reaction or the alkoxylation as such may be split into two or more individual steps.

It is preferred within the present invention that the second step (alkoxylation) is carried out as a single step reaction.

Within this preferred embodiment, the alkoxylation is carried out in the presence of at least one catalyst and/or in the absence of water. Within this single step reaction of the alkoxylation step, the catalyst is preferably a basic catalyst. Examples of suitable catalysts are alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide, alkali metal alkoxides, in particular sodium and potassium C₁-C₄-alkoxides, such as sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide and potassium tert-butoxide, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydrides such as sodium hydride and calcium hydride, and alkali metal carbonates such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate. Preference is given to the alkali metal hydroxides and the alkali metal alkoxides, particular preference being given to potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. Typical use amounts for the base are from 0.05 to 10% by weight, in particular from 0.5 to 2% by weight, based on the total amount of polyalkylene imine or polyamine and alkylene oxide.

One alternative procedure in connection with the second reaction step (alkoxylation) is a two-step reaction by initially undertaking only an incipient alkoxylation of the modified backbone of the polyalkylene imine or the polyamine obtained during the first step. In this first part of the second step, the modified backbone of the polyalkylene imine or of the polyamine is reacted only with a portion of the total amount of ethylene oxide used, which corresponds to about 1 mole of ethylene oxide per mole of NH moiety or NH functionality, respectively. This reaction (of the first part of the second step) is undertaken generally in the absence of a catalyst in aqueous solution at from 70 to 200° C., preferably from 80 to 160° C., under a pressure of up to 10 bar, in particular up to 8 bar.

Said second part of the alkoxylation reaction (second step of the alternative method according to the present invention) is undertaken typically in the presence of the same type of catalyst as described above for the single step alkoxylation reaction.

The second step of alkoxylation may be undertaken in substance (variant a)) or in an organic solvent (variant b)). The process conditions specified below may be used for both steps of the alkoxylation reaction.

In variant a), the aqueous solution of the incipiently alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or polyamine obtained in the first step, after addition of the catalyst, is initially dewatered. This can be done in a simple manner by heating to from 80 to 150° C. and distilling off the water under a reduced pressure of from less than 30 mbar. The subsequent reactions with the alkylene oxides are effected typically at from 70 to 200° C., preferably from 100 to 180° C., and at a pressure of up to 10 bar, in particular up to 8 bar, and a continued stirring time of from about 0.5 to 4 h at from about 100 to 160° C. and constant pressure follows in each case.

Suitable reaction media for variant b) are in particular nonpolar and polar aprotic organic solvents. Examples of particularly suitable nonpolar aprotic solvents include aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons such as hexane, cyclohexane, toluene and xylene. Examples of particularly suitable polar aprotic solvents are ethers, in particular cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane, N,N-dialkylamides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide, and N-alkyllactams such as N-methylpyrrolidone. It is of course also possible to use mixtures of these aprotic solvents. Preferred solvents are xylene and toluene.

In variant b) too, the solution obtained in the first step, after addition of catalyst and solvent, is initially dewatered, which is advantageously done by separating out the water ata temperature of from 120 to 180° C., preferably supported by a gentle nitrogen stream. The subsequent reaction with the alkylene oxide may be effected as in variant a).

In variant a), the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or polyamine is obtained directly in substance and may be converted if desired to an aqueous solution. In variant b), the organic solvent is typically removed and replaced by water. The products may of course also be isolated in substance.

The amount of residues according to formula (IIa) or formula (IIb) in connection with the definition for the substituents E1 to E5 can be controlled by several factors, such as the stoichiometry of the educts employed, the reaction temperature within the individual steps, the amount and/or type of the catalysts employed and/or the selected solvent.

In another preferred embodiment, the lactone is caprolactone, the hydroxy carbon acid is lactic acid and/or the C₂-C₂₂-epoxide is ethylene oxide.

In another preferred embodiment, the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or alkoxylated polyamine is additionally quaternized as described above. However, it is also possible to sulfatize the alkoxylated compounds instead of or in addition to the quaternization.

Another subject matter of the present invention is the use of the above-mentioned alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines, in laundry detergents, in fabric and home care products, in cosmetic formulations, as crude oil emulsion breaker, in pigment dispersions for ink jet inks, in formulations for electro plating, in cementitious compositions and/or as dispersant for agrochemical formulations, preferably in cleaning compositions and/or in fabric and home care products.

The inventive alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines can be added to cosmetic formulations, as crude oil emulsion breaker, in pigment dispersions for ink jet inks, formulations for electro plating, in cementitious compositions. However, the inventive compounds can also be added to (used in) washing or cleaning compositions.

Another subject-matter of the present invention is, therefore, a laundry detergent, a cleaning composition, fabric and home care product, cosmetic formulation, crude oil emulsion breaker, pigment dispersion for ink jet inks, formulation for electro plating, cementitious composition and/or dispersant for agrochemical formulations, comprising at least one alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or alkoxylated polyamine, as defined above.

Preferably, it is a laundry detergent, a cleaning composition and/or fabric and home care product, comprising at least one alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or alkoxylated polyamine, as defined above.

The inventive alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines are present in said formulations at a concentration of 0.1 to 5 weight %, preferably at a concentration of 0.5 to 2 weight %.

The inventive alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines can also be added to a cleaning composition comprising from about 1% to about 70% by weight of a surfactant system. The inventive alkoxylated polyalkylene imines or alkoxylated polyamines may be present in a cleaning composition at a concentration of from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the composition, or at a concentration of from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight of the composition.

Cleaning Composition

As used herein the phrase “cleaning composition” includes compositions and formulations designed for cleaning soiled material. Such compositions include but are not limited to, laundry cleaning compositions and detergents, fabric softening compositions, fabric enhancing compositions, fabric freshening compositions, laundry prewash, laundry pretreat, laundry additives, spray products, dry cleaning agent or composition, laundry rinse additive, wash additive, post-rinse fabric treatment, ironing aid, dish washing compositions, hard surface cleaning compositions, unit dose formulation, delayed delivery formulation, detergent contained on or in a porous substrate or nonwoven sheet, and other suitable forms that may be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such compositions may be used as a pre-laundering treatment, a post-laundering treatment, or may be added during the rinse or wash cycle of the laundering operation. The cleaning compositions may have a form selected from liquid, powder, single-phase or multi-phase unit dose, pouch, tablet, gel, paste, bar, or flake.

The cleaning compositions comprise a surfactant system in an amount sufficient to provide desired cleaning properties. In some embodiments, the cleaning composition comprises, by weight of the composition, from about 1% to about 70% of a surfactant system. In other embodiments, the liquid cleaning composition comprises, by weight of the composition, from about 2% to about 60% of the surfactant system. In further embodiments, the cleaning composition comprises, by weight of the composition, from about 5% to about 30% of the surfactant system. The surfactant system may comprise a detersive surfactant selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, ampholytic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a detersive surfactant encompasses any surfactant or mixture of surfactants that provide cleaning, stain removing, or laundering benefit to soiled material.

The cleaning compositions may also contain adjunct cleaning additives. Suitable adjunct cleaning additives include builders, structurants or thickeners, clay soil removal/anti-redeposition agents, polymeric soil release agents, polymeric dispersing agents, polymeric grease cleaning agents, enzymes, enzyme stabilizing systems, bleaching compounds, bleaching agents, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, brighteners, dyes, hueing agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, chelating agents, suds supressors, softeners, and perfumes.

The compounds of the present invention may be utilized in laundry detergents or cleaning compositions comprising a surfactant system comprising C₁₀-C₁₅ alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) and one or more co-surfactants selected from nonionic, cationic, anionic or mixtures thereof. The selection of co-surfactant may be dependent upon the desired benefit. In one embodiment, the co-surfactant is selected as a nonionic surfactant, preferably C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl ethoxylates. In another embodiment, the co-surfactant is selected as an anionic surfactant, preferably C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AE_(x)S) wherein x is from 1 to 30. In another embodiment the co-surfactant is selected as a cationic surfactant, preferably dimethyl hydroxyethyl lauryl ammonium chloride. If the surfactant system comprises C₁₀-C₁₅ alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS), the LAS is preferably used at levels ranging from about 9% to about 25%, or from about 13% to about 25%, or from about 15% to about 23% by weight of the composition.

The surfactant system may comprise from 0% to about 15%, or from about 0.1% to about 7%, or from about 1% to about 4% by weight of the composition of one or more of co-surfactants selected from a nonionic co-surfactant, cationic co-surfactant, anionic co-surfactant and any mixture thereof.

Non-limiting examples of nonionic co-surfactants include: C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl ethoxylates, such as, NEODOL® nonionic surfactants from Shell; C₆-C₁₂ alkyl phenol alkoxylates wherein the alkoxylate units are a mixture of ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy units; C₁₂-C₁₈ alcohol and C₆-C₁₂ alkyl phenol condensates with ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block alkyl polyamine ethoxylates such as PLURONIC® from BASF; C₁₄ ^(-C) ₂₂ mid-chain branched alcohols, BA, as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,322; 0₁₄ ^(-C) ₂₂ mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxylates, BAE_(R), wherein x is from 1 to 30, as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,153,577, 6,020,303 and 6,093,856; alkylpolysaccharides as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647 Llenado, issued Jan. 26, 1986; specifically alkylpolyglycosides as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,483,780 and 4,483,779; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,528; and ether capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,994 and WO 01/42408.

Non-limiting examples of semi-polar nonionic co-surfactants include: water-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties and hydroxyalkyl moieties containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties and hydroxyalkyl moieties containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; and water-soluble sulfoxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms. See WO 01/32816, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,681,704, and 4,133,779.

Non-limiting examples of cationic co-surfactants include: the quaternary ammonium surfactants, which can have up to 26 carbon atoms include: alkoxylate quaternary ammonium (AQA) surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,769; dimethyl hydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,922; dimethyl hydroxyethyl lauryl ammonium chloride; polyamine cationic surfactants as discussed in WO 98/35002, WO 98/35003, WO 98/35004, WO 98/35005, and WO 98/35006; cationic ester surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,228,042, 4,239,660 4,260,529 and 6,022,844; and amino surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,825 and WO 00/47708, specifically amido propyldimethyl amine (APA).

Nonlimiting examples of anionic co-surfactants useful herein include: C₁₀-C₂₀ primary, branched chain and random alkyl sulfates (AS); C₁₀-C₁₈ secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates; C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AE_(x)S) wherein x is from 1 to 30; C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy carboxylates comprising 1 to 5 ethoxy units; mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303 and 6,060,443; mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,181 and 6,020,303; modified alkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242 and WO 99/05244; methyl ester sulfonate (MES); and alpha-olefin sulfonate (AOS).

The present invention may also relate to compositions comprising the inventive compounds and a surfactant system comprising C₈-C₁₈ linear alkyl sulphonate surfactant and a co-surfactant. The compositions can be in any form, namely, in the form of a liquid; a solid such as a powder, granules, agglomerate, paste, tablet, pouches, bar, gel; an emulsion; types delivered in dual-compartment containers; a spray or foam detergent; premoistened wipes (i.e., the cleaning composition in combination with a nonwoven material such as that discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,165, Mackey, et al.); dry wipes (i.e., the cleaning composition in combination with a nonwoven materials, such as that discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,931, Fowler, et al.) activated with water by a consumer; and other homogeneous or multiphase consumer cleaning product forms.

In one embodiment, the cleaning composition of the present invention is a liquid or solid laundry detergent composition. In another embodiment, the cleaning composition of the present invention is a hard surface cleaning composition, preferably wherein the hard surface cleaning composition impregnates a nonwoven substrate. As used herein “impregnate” means that the hard surface cleaning composition is placed in contact with a nonwoven substrate such that at least a portion of the nonwoven substrate is penetrated by the hard surface cleaning composition, preferably the hard surface cleaning composition saturates the nonwoven substrate. The cleaning composition may also be utilized in car care compositions, for cleaning various surfaces such as hard wood, tile, ceramic, plastic, leather, metal, glass. This cleaning composition could be also designed to be used in a personal care and pet care compositions such as shampoo composition, body wash, liquid or solid soap and other cleaning composition in which surfactant comes into contact with free hardness and in all compositions that require hardness tolerant surfactant system, such as oil drilling compositions.

In another embodiment the cleaning composition is a dish cleaning composition, such as liquid hand dishwashing compositions, solid automatic dishwashing compositions, liquid automatic dishwashing compositions, and tab/unit dose forms of automatic dishwashing compositions.

Quite typically, cleaning compositions herein such as laundry detergents, laundry detergent additives, hard surface cleaners, synthetic and soap-based laundry bars, fabric softeners and fabric treatment liquids, solids and treatment articles of all kinds will require several adjuncts, though certain simply formulated products, such as bleach additives, may require only, for example, an oxygen bleaching agent and a surfactant as described herein. A comprehensive list of suitable laundry or cleaning adjunct materials can be found in WO 99/05242.

Common cleaning adjuncts include builders, enzymes, polymers not discussed above, bleaches, bleach activators, catalytic materials and the like excluding any materials already defined hereinabove. Other cleaning adjuncts herein can include suds boosters, suds suppressors (antifoams) and the like, diverse active ingredients or specialized materials such as dispersant polymers (e.g., from BASF Corp. or Rohm & Haas) other than those described above, color speckles, silvercare, anti-tarnish and/or anti-corrosion agents, dyes, fillers, germicides, alkalinity sources, hydrotropes, anti-oxidants, enzyme stabilizing agents, pro-perfumes, perfumes, solubilizing agents, carriers, processing aids, pigments, and, for liquid formulations, solvents, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dispersants, brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners, anti-abrasion agents, hydrotropes, processing aids, and other fabric care agents, surface and skin care agents. Suitable examples of such other cleaning adjuncts and levels of use are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,576,282, 6,306,812 B1 and 6,326,348 B1.

The alkoxylated polyethylene imines and alkoxylated polyamines of the present invention can be used within compositions comprising any of those known adjunct materials, materials and compositions as those found in WO 99/05242, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,576,282, 6,306,812 B1 and 6,326,348 B1 and any of the other prior art documents mentioned and cited herein in this regard.

Method of Use

The present invention includes a method for cleaning a targeted surface. As used herein “targeted surface” may include such surfaces such as fabric, dishes, glasses, and other cooking surfaces, hard surfaces, hair or skin. As used herein “hard surface” includes hard surfaces being found in a typical home such as hard wood, tile, ceramic, plastic, leather, metal, glass. Such method includes the steps of contacting a cleaning composition as defined herein before comprising the alkoxylated polyethylene imine and/or the alkoxylated polyamine, in neat form or diluted in wash liquor, with at least a portion of a targeted surface then optionally rinsing the targeted surface. Preferably the targeted surface is subjected to a washing step prior to the aforementioned optional rinsing step. For purposes of the present invention, washing includes, but is not limited to, scrubbing, wiping and mechanical agitation.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the cleaning compositions of the present invention are ideally suited for use in home care (hard surface cleaning compositions) and/or laundry applications.

The cleaning composition solution pH is chosen to be the most complimentary to a target surface to be cleaned spanning broad range of pH, from about 5 to about 11. For personal care such as skin and hair cleaning pH of such cleaning composition preferably has a pH from about 5 to about 8 for laundry cleaning compositions pH of from about 8 to about 10. The cleaning compositions are preferably employed at concentrations of from about 200 ppm to about 10,000 ppm in solution. The water temperatures preferably range from about 5° C. to about 100° C.

For use in laundry cleaning compositions, the cleaning compositions are preferably employed at concentrations from about 200 ppm to about 10000 ppm in solution (or wash liquor). The water temperatures preferably range from about 5° C. to about 60° C. The water to fabric ratio is preferably from about 1:1 to about 20:1.

The method may include the step of contacting a nonwoven substrate impregnated with an embodiment of the cleaning composition of the present invention. As used herein “nonwoven substrate” can comprise any conventionally fashioned nonwoven sheet or web having suitable basis weight, caliper (thickness), absorbency and strength characteristics. Examples of suitable commercially available nonwoven substrates include those marketed under the tradename SONTARA® by DuPont and POLYWEB® by James River Corp.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the cleaning compositions of the present invention are also ideally suited for use in liquid dish cleaning compositions. The method for using a liquid dish composition of the present invention comprises the steps of contacting soiled dishes with an effective amount, typically from about 0.5 ml. to about 20 ml. (per 25 dishes being treated) of the liquid dish cleaning composition of the present invention diluted in water.

The following examples shall further illustrate the present invention without restricting the scope of the invention.

Methods

The amount of amines substituted with E1 -E5=hydrogen can be determined by identification of primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups in ¹³C-NMR, as described for polyethylene imines in Lukovkin G. M., Pshezhetsky V. S., Murtazaeva G. A.: Europ. Polymer Journal 1973, 9, 559-565 and St. Pierre T., Geckle M.: ACS Polym. Prep. 1981, 22, 128-129.

¹³C-NMR spectra are recorded in CDCl₃ with a Bruker AV-401 instrument at room temperature. ¹H-NMR spectra are recorded in CDCl₃ or CD₃OD with a Bruker AV-401 instrument at room temperature.

Saponification values are measured according to DIN EN ISO 3657: 2013.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 0.5 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality, ethoxylated with 20 mole ethylene oxide per mol of NH-functionality.

1 a Polyethylene Imine, Molecular Weight 800 g/Mole Reacted with 0.5 Mole Caprolactone per mol of NH-Functionality

In a 0.5 I four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 129.0 g polyethylene imine are placed and heated to 50° C. At this temperature 171.2 g caprolactone is added within 1 hour. Temperature of the reaction mixture rises during the addition of caprolactone to 80° C. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is heated to 120° C. and is stirred for 15 hours at 120° C. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. 295.0 g of a light orange oil is obtained. ¹³C-NMR shows all primary amines are converted to amides, and 10% of total amount of secondary amines (E1) are reacted with caprolactone. The saponification value is 52 mgKOH/g.

1 b Polyethylene Imine, Molecular Weight 800 g/Mole, Reacted with 0.5 Mole Caprolactone per mol of NH-Functionality, Ethoxylated with 10 Mole Ethylene Oxide per mol of NH-Functionality

In a 2 l autoclave 120.0 g polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 0.5 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality (example 1a) and 1.3 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and the mixture is heated to 120° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 528.6 g ethylene oxide is added within 10 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 120° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 645.0 g of a light brown oil is obtained

1 c Polyethylene Imine, Molecular Weight 800 g/Mole, Reacted with 0.5 Mole Caprolactone per mol of NH-Functionality, Ethoxylated with 20 Mole Ethylene Oxide per mol of NH-Functionality

In a 2 l autoclave 250.0 g Polyethylene imine, molecular weight800 g/mole reacted with 0.5 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality, ethoxylated with 10 mole ethylene oxide per mol of NH-functionality (example 1b) and 0.4 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and the mixture is heated to 120° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 203.7 g ethylene oxide is added within 2 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 120° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 450.0 g of a light brown solid is obtained (saponification value: 9.0 mgKOH/g).

Example 2

Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality, ethoxylated with 10 mole ethylene oxide per mol of NH-functionality

2 a Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality

In a 0.5 I four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 86.0 g polyethylene imine are placed and heated to 90° C. At this temperature 228.3 g caprolactone is added within 1 hour. Temperature of the reaction mixture rises during the addition of caprolactone to 100° C. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is heated to 120° C. and is stirred for 11 hours at 120° C. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. 310.0 g of a light orange oil is obtained (saponification value: 195 mgKOH/g). ¹³C-NMR shows all primary amines are converted to amides, and 15% of total amount of secondary amines (El) are reacted with caprolactone.

2 b Polyethylene Imine, Molecular Weight 800 g/Mole, Reacted with 1.0 Mole Caprolactone per mol of NH-Functionality, Ethoxylated with 10 Mole Ethylene Oxide per mol of NH-Functionality

In a 2 l autoclave 120.0 g polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality (example 2a) and 0.9 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and the mixture is heated to 120° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 352.2 g ethylene oxide is added within 5 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 120° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 440.0 g of a light brown oil is obtained.

Example 3

Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality, ethoxylated with 20 mole ethylene oxide per mol of NH-functionality

In a 2 l autoclave 100.0 g Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality (example 2a) and 1.3 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and the mixture is heated to 120° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 560.7 g ethylene oxide is added within 10 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 120° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 659.0 g of a light brown solid is obtained (saponification value: 28.4 mg KOH/g).

Example 4

Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 2.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality, ethoxylated with 20 mole ethylene oxide per mol of NH-functionality

4 a Polyethylene Imine, Molecular Weight 800 g/Mole, Reacted with 2.0 Mole Caprolactone per mol of NH-Functionality

In a 0.5 l four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 47.3 g polyethylene imine are placed and heated to 90° C. At this temperature 251.1 g caprolactone is added within 1 hour. Temperature of the reaction mixture rises during the addition of caprolactone to 100° C. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is heated to 120° C. and is stirred for 35 hours at 120° C. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. 295.0 g of a light orange oil is obtained (saponification value: 302 mgKOH/g).

¹³C-NMR shows all primary amines are converted to amides, and 10% of total amount of secondary amines (El) are reacted with caprolactone.

4 b Polyethylene Imine, Molecular Weight 800 g/Mole, Reacted with 2.0 Mole Caprolactone per Mole of NH-Functionality, Ethoxylated with 20 Mole Ethylene Oxide per Mole of NH-Functionality

In a 2 l autoclave 139.0 g polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 2.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality (example 4a) and 1.2 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and the mixture is heated to 120° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 451.4 g ethylene oxide is added within 8 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 120° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 590.0 g of a viscous light brown oil is obtained (saponification value: 65.7 mgKOH/g).

Example 5

Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 0.25 mole lactide per mol of NH-functionality, ethoxylated with 20 mole ethylene oxide per mole of NH-functionality

5 a Polyethylene Imine, Molecular Weight 800 g/Mole, Reacted with 0.25 Mole Lactide Per Mole of NH-Functionality

In a 0.5 I four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 172.3 g polyethylene imine are placed and heated to 90° C. At this temperature 145.6 g lactide is added within 1 hour. Temperature of the reaction mixture rises during the addition of lactide to 110° C. After complete addition of lactide, the reaction mixture is heated to 120° C. and is stirred for 2 hours at 120° C. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of lactide. 290 g of a light orange oil is obtained.

5 b Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 0.25 mole lactide per mole of NH-functionality, ethoxylated with 20 mole ethylene oxide per mole of NH-Functionality

In a 2 l autoclave 71.1 g polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 0.25 mole lactide per mol of NH-functionality (example 5a) and 1.7 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and the mixture is heated to 120° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 792.9 g ethylene oxide is added within 15 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 120° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 860.0 g of a light brown viscous oil is obtained (saponification value: 13.1 mgKOH/g).

Example 6

Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 0.5 mole γ-butyrolactone per mole of NH-functionality, ethoxylated with 20 mole ethylene oxide per mol of NH-functionality

6 a Polyethylene Imine, Molecular Weight 800 g/Mole, Reacted with 0.5 Mole γ-Butyrolactone Per Mole of NH-Functionality

In a 0.5 I four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 172.0 g polyethylene imine are placed and heated to 50° C. At this temperature 172.2 g γ-butyrolactone is added within 0.5 hours. Temperature of the reaction mixture rises during the addition of γ-butyrolactone to 55° C. After complete addition of γ-butyrolactone, the reaction mixture is heated to 100° C. and is stirred for 18 hours at 100° C. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of γ-butyrolactone. 340.0 g of a yellow viscous oil is obtained (saponification value: 100.6 mgKOH/g). ¹³C-NMR shows all primary amines are converted to amides, and 13% of total amount of secondary amines (El) are reacted with γ-butyrolactone.

6 b Polyethylene Imine, Molecular Weight 800 g/Mole, Reacted with 0.5 Mole γ-butyrolactone Per Mole of NH-Functionality, Ethoxylated with 20 Mole Ethylene Oxide Per Mole of NH-Functionality

In a 2 l autoclave 82.0 g polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 0.5 mole γ-butyrolactone per mol of NH-functionality (example 6a) and 1.8 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and the mixture is heated to 120° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 840 g ethylene oxide is added within 12 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 120° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 924.0 g of a light brown solid is obtained (saponification value: 8.7 mgKOH/g).

Example 7

N4 amine (N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine), reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole, ethoxylated with 80 mole ethylene oxide/mole

7 a N4 Amine (N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine), Reacted with 4 Mole Caprolactone/Mole

In a 0.5 I four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 319.6 g caprolactone are placed and heated to 80° C. At this temperature 122.0 g N4 amine (N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine) is added within 1 hour. Temperature of the reaction mixture rises during the addition of caprolactone to 110° C. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is heated to 120° C. and is stirred for 21 hours at 120° C. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. 435.0 g of a light yellow oil is obtained (saponification value: 167.3 mgKOH/g). ¹³C-NMR shows all primary amines are converted to amides, and no secondary amines are reacted with caprolactone.

7 b N4 amine (N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine), Reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole, ethoxylated with 80 mole ethylene oxide/mole

In a 2 l autoclave 100.0 g N4 amine (N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine), reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole (example 7a) and 1.4 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and the mixture is heated to 120° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 583.2 g ethylene oxide is added within 10 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 120° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 680.0 g of a viscous light brown oil is obtained (saponification value: 21.1 mgKOH/g).

Example 8

Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality, ethoxylated with 24 mole ethylene oxide per mol of NH-functionality and propoxylated with 16 mole propylene oxide per mol of NH functionality

8 a Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality, ethoxylated with 5 mole ethylene oxide per mol of NH-functionality

In a 2 l autoclave 192.0 g Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality (example 2a) and 0.92 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and the mixture is heated to 120° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 269.1 g ethylene oxide is added within 6 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 120° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 464.0 g of a light brown viscous oil is obtained (saponification value: 80.0 mgKOH/g).

8 b Polyethylene imine, Molecular Weight 800 g/mole, Reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality, ethoxylated with 24 mole ethylene oxide per mol of NH-Functionality and propoxylated with 16 mole propylene oxide per mol of NH Functionality

In a 2 l autoclave 150.9 g Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality, and ethoxylated with 5 mole ethylene oxide per mole NH functionality (example 8a) and 1.4 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and the mixture is heated to 120° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 334.8 g ethylene oxide is added within 4 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 2 h at 120° C. 371.7 g propylene oxide is added within 5 hours, followed by 5 hours post-reaction time. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 464.0 g of a light brown viscous oil is obtained (saponification value: 14.1 mgKOH/g).

Example 9

Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality, propoxylated with 15 mole propylene oxide per mol of NH functionality

In a 2 l autoclave 105.0 g Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality (example 2a) and 1.4 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and the mixture is heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 582.3 g propylene oxide is added within 6 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 6 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 663.0 g of a light brown viscous oil is obtained.

Example 10

Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality, propoxylated with 15 mole propylene oxide per mole of NH functionality and ethoxylated with 24 mole ethylene oxide per mole of NH- functionality

In a 2 l autoclave 205.7 g Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, reacted with 1.0 mole caprolactone per mol of NH-functionality, and propoxylated with 15 mole propylene oxide per mole NH functionality (example 9) and 0.42 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and the mixture is heated to 120° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 211.4 g ethylene oxide is added within 4 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 120° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 415.0 g of a light brown solid is obtained.

Example 11

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 0.25 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

11 a Hexamethylene diamine, Reacted with 0.25 mole caprolactone/mole

In a 0.5 l four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 612.4 g hexamethylene diamine and 5.4 g potassium methylate (30% in methanol) are placed and heated to 120° C. At this temperature 150.4 g caprolactone is added within 0.5 hour. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is stirred at 120° C. for 3 hours at 120° C. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. 750.0 g of a light yellow oil, which solidifies at room temperature, is obtained.

11 b Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 0.25 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 145.4 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 0.25 mole caprolactone/mole (example 11 a) and heated to 110° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 696.9 g propylene oxide is added within 10 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 7 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. 840.0 g of a highly viscous light yellow oil is obtained (saponification value: 5.5 mgKOH/g).

Example 12

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 0.25 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 252.5 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 0.25 mole caprolactone/mole and propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide /mole (example 11 b) and 0.97 g potassium tert. butoxide. The mixture is heated to 110° C., and the vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 348.5 g propylene oxide is added within 5 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 10 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. 600.0 g of a highly viscous light brown oil is obtained (saponification value: 4.8 mgKOH/g).

Example 13

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 0.25 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 60 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 168.3 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 0.25 mole caprolactone/mole and propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide /mole (example 11 b) and 1.3 g potassium tert. butoxide. The mixture is heated to 110° C., and the vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 557.6 g propylene oxide is added within 10 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 10 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. 730.0 g of a highly viscous light brown oil is obtained (saponification value: 1.7 mgKOH/g).

Example 14

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 0.25 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 60 mole propylene oxide/mole and ethoxylated with 40 mole ethylene oxide/mol

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 151.5 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 0.25 mole caprolactone/mole and propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide /mole (example 11b) and 1.8 g potassium tert. butoxide. The mixture is heated to 110° C., and the vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 502.0 g propylene oxide is added within 8 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 2 h at 140° C. 317.2 g ethylene oxide is added within 5 hours, followed by 5 hours post-reaction time. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 960.0 g of a highly viscous light brown oil is obtained.

Example 15

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

15 a Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole

In a 2.0 I four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 631.0 g hexamethylene diamine is placed and heated to 50° C. 20.8 g potassium methylate (30% in methanol) is added. 619.0 g caprolactone is added within 0.5 hour, the temperature is allowed to rise to 114° C. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is heated to 120° C. and is stirred for 2 hours at 120° C. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. Volatile compounds are removed in vacuo (30 mbar) at 80° C. for 0.5 hours. 1240.0 g of an orange viscous oil is obtained.

15 b Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 190.0 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole (example 15 a) and heated to 110° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 572.4 g propylene oxide is added within 10 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 7 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. 760.0 g of a highly viscous yellow oil is obtained (saponification value: 12.0 mgKOH/g).

Example 16

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 94.0 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole (example 15 a) and heated to 110° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 758.9 g propylene oxide is added within 10 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 7 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. 850.0 g of a highly viscous yellow oil is obtained (saponification value: 7.9 mgKOH/g).

Example 17

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 60 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 139.1 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole and propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide /mole (example 15b) and 0.94 g potassium tert. butoxide. The mixture is heated to 110° C., and the vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 418.2 g propylene oxide is added within 5 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 7 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. 556.0 g of a highly viscous brown oil is obtained (saponification value: 5.4 mgKOH/g).

Example 18

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide/mole and ethoxylated with 32 mole ethylene oxide/mol

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 231.8 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole and propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide /mole (example 15 b) and 1.5 g potassium tert. butoxide. The mixture is heated to 110° C., and the vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 290.4 g propylene oxide is added within 4 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 2 h at 140° C. 352.4 g ethylene oxide is added within 7 hours, followed by 5 hours post-reaction time. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 870.0 g of a highly viscous light brown oil is obtained.

Example 19

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

19 a Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole

In a 2 l four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 232.4 g hexamethylene diamine and 19.1 g potassium methylate (30% in methanol) are placed and heated to 120° C. At this temperature 913.4 g caprolactone is added within 0.5 hour. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is stirred for 4 hours at 120° C. Volatile compounds are removed in vacuo (30 mbar) at 80° C. for 0.5 hours. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. 1130.0 g of a light yellow oil is obtained.

19 b Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 402.0 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole (example 19 a) and heated to 80° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 486.8 g propylene oxide is added within 10 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 7 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 880.0 g of a highly viscous yellow oil is obtained (saponification value: 87.5 mgKOH/g).

Example 20

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 20 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 96 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole (example 19 a) and heated to 80° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 193.7 g propylene oxide is added within 4 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 6 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 274.0 g of a highly viscous yellow oil is obtained (saponification value: 72.2 mgKOH/g).

Example 21

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 96.0 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole (example 19 a) and heated to 80° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 310.4 g propylene oxide is added within 4 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 6 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 366.0 g of a highly viscous light yellow oil is obtained (saponification value: 56.9 mgKOH/g).

Example 22

N4 amine (N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine), reacted with 2 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

22 a N4 amine (N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine), reacted with 2 mole caprolactone/mole

In a 0.5 I four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 348.6 g N4 amine (N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine) and 13.4 g potassium methoxide (30% in methanol) are placed. 456.6 g caprolactone is added within 0.75 hours. Temperature of the reaction mixture rises during the addition of caprolactone to 110° C. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is heated to 120° C. and is stirred for 2 hours at 120° C. Volatile compounds are removed in vacuo (30 mbar) at 80° C. for 0.5 hours. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. 801.0 g of a light yellow oil is obtained

22 b N4 amine (N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine), reacted with 2 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

In a 2 l autoclave 296.0 g N4 amine (N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine), reacted with 2 mole caprolactone/mole (example 22 a) is placed and heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 512.5 g propylene oxide is added within 8 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 798.0 g of a viscous light brown oil is obtained.

Example 23

N4 amine (N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine), reacted with 2 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 64 mole propylene oxide/mole

In a 2 l autoclave 217.6.0 g N4 amine (N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene diamine), reacted with 2 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole (example 22 b) and 1.3 g potassium tert. butoxide is placed and heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 606.3 g propylene oxide is added within 10 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 825.0 g of a viscous light brown oil is obtained.

Example 24

DETA (Bis(2-aminoethyl)amine), reacted with 1.5 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

24 a DETA (Bis(2-aminoethyl)amine), reacted with 1.5 mole caprolactone/mole

In a 1 I four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 309.5 g DETA (Bis(2-aminoethyl)amine) and 13.7 g potassium methoxide (30% in methanol) are placed. 513.6 g caprolactone is added within 0.75 hours. Temperature of the reaction mixture rises during the addition of caprolactone to 70° C. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is heated to 120° C. and is stirred for 2 hours at 120° C. Volatile compounds are removed in vacuo (30 mbar) at 80° C. for 0.5 hours.¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. 801.0 g of a light yellow oil is obtained

24 b DETA (Bis(2-aminoethyl)amine), reacted with 1.5 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

In a 2 l autoclave 219.5 g DETA (Bis(2-aminoethyl)amine), reacted with 1.5 mole caprolactone/mole (example 24 a) is placed and heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 557.6 g propylene oxide is added within 10 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 767.0 g of a viscous light brown oil is obtained.

Example 25

DETA (Bis(2-aminoethyl)amine), reacted with 1.5 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 48 mole propylene oxide/mole

In a 2 l autoclave 239.9 g DETA (Bis(2-aminoethyl)amine), reacted with 1.5 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole (example 24 b) and 1.2 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 525.6 g propylene oxide is added within 8 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 770.0 g of a viscous light brown oil is obtained.

Example 26

1,3-Propane diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

26 a 1,3-Propane diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole

In a 1 I four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 370.6 g 1,3-propane diamine and 15.7 g potassium methoxide (30% in methanol) are placed. 570.7 g caprolactone is added within 0.75 hours. Temperature of the reaction mixture rises during the addition of caprolactone to 60° C. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is heated to 120° C. and is stirred for 2 hours at 120° C. Volatile compounds are removed in vacuo (30 mbar) at 80° C. for 0.5 hours.¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. 935.0 g of a light yellow oil is obtained.

26 b 1,3-Propane diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

In a 2 l autoclave 188.3 g 1,3-propane diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole (example 26 a) is placed and heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 696.9 g propylene oxide is added within 12 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 881.0 g of a viscous light brown oil is obtained.

Example 27

1,3-Propane diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide/mole

In a 2 l autoclave 309.8 g 1,3-propane diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole (example 26 b) and 1.1 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 406.6 g propylene oxide is added within 6 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 718.0 g of a viscous light brown oil is obtained.

Example 28

MCDA (methylcyclohexyl diamine, mixture of isomers), reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

28 a MCDA (methylcyclohexyl diamine, mixture of isomers), reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole

In a 1 l four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 128.4 g MCDA (methylcyclohexyl diamine, mixture of isomers) and 4.0 g potassium methoxide (30% in methanol) are placed. 114.1 g caprolactone is added within 0.5 hour. Temperature of the reaction mixture rises during the addition of caprolactone to 60° C. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is heated to 120° C. and is stirred for 2 hours at 120° C. Volatile compounds are removed in vacuo (30 mbar) at 80° C. for 0.5 hours. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. 242.0 g of a light yellow oil is obtained.

28 b MCDA (methylcyclohexyl diamine, mixture of isomers), reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

In a 2 l autoclave 241.2 g MCDA (methylcyclohexyl diamine, mixture of isomers), reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole (example 28 a) is placed and heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 348.5 g propylene oxide is added within 5 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 140° C.

The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 585.0 g of a viscous light brown oil is obtained.

Example 29

MCDA (methylcyclohexyl diamine, mixture of isomers), reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide/mole

In a 2 l autoclave 353.8 g MCDA (methylcyclohexyl diamine, mixture of isomers), reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole (example 28 b) and 1.1 g potassium tert. butoxide are placed and heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 348.5 g propylene oxide is added within 6 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 700.0 g of a viscous light brown oil is obtained.

Example 30

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole g-butyrolactone/mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole cl 30 a Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole g-butyrolactone /mole

In a 2.0 I four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 232.4 g hexamethylene diamine is placed and heated to 45° C. 6.7 g potassium methylate (30% in methanol) is added. 172.2 g g-butyrolactone is added within 1 hour, the temperature is allowed to rise to 118° C. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is heated to 120° C. and is stirred for 2 hours at 120° C. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. Volatile compounds are removed in vacuo (30 mbar) at 80° C. for 0.5 hours. 404.5 g of a light brown solid is obtained.

30 b Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole g-butyrolactone /mole, propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 203.0 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole g-butyrolactone /mole (example 30 a) and 1.8 g potassium butoxide and heated to 110° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 696.9 g propylene oxide is added within 15 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 10 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. 899.0 g of a highly viscous brown oil is obtained.

Example 31

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole g-butyrolactone /mole, propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 224.8 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole g- butyrolactone /mole and propoxylated with 12 mole propylene oxide/mole (example 30 b) and heated to 110° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 290.4 g propylene oxide is added within 5 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 10 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. 515.0 g of a viscous brown oil is obtained.

Example 32

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 60 mole propylene oxide/mole and ethoxylated with 90 mole ethylene oxide/mol

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 209.0 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole and propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide /mole (example 16) The mixture is heated to 140° C., and the vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 162.6 g propylene oxide is added within 10 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 23 h at 140° C. 369.5 g ethylene oxide is added within 7 hours, followed by 10 hours post-reaction time. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 735.0 g of a highly viscous light brown oil is obtained.

Example 33

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, ethoxylated with 90 mole ethylene oxide/mol, and propoxylated with 60 mole propylene oxide/mole

33 a Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, ethoxylated with 30 mole ethylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 120.0 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole (example 15 a) and heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 685.0 g ethylene oxide is added within 6 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 6 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. 785.0 g of a highly viscous brown oil is obtained.

33 b Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, ethoxylated with 90 mole ethylene oxide/mole, and propoxylated with 60 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 120.0 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole and ethoxylated with 30 ethylene oxide/mole (example 33 a) and 1.1 g potassium tert. butoxide and heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 510.0 g ethylene oxide is added within 6 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 6 h at 140° C. 672.6 g propylene oxide are added within 15 h, followed by 15 h post reaction time at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. 1466.0 g of a highly viscous brown oil is obtained.

Example 34

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, alkoxylated with a mixture of 90 mole ethylene oxide/mole, and 60 mole propylene oxide/mole

34 a Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, alkoxylated with a mixture of 15 mole ethylene oxide/mole, and 10 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 115.8 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole (example 15 a) and heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. A mixture of 330.4 g ethylene oxide and 290.4 g propylene oxide is added within 7 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 6 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. 736.0 g of a highly viscous brown oil is obtained.

34 b Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, alkoxylated with a mixture of 90 mole ethylene oxide/mole, and 60 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 120.0 g Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, alkoxylated with a mixture of 15 mole ethylene oxide/mole, and 10 mole propylene oxide/mole (example 34 a) and 0.6 g potassium tert. butoxide and heated to 140° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. A mixture of 314.3 g ethylene oxide and 276.3 g propylene oxide is added within 7 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 6 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. 718.0 g of a highly viscous brown oil is obtained.

Example 35

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide/mole and ethoxylated with 48 mole ethylene oxide/mol

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 211.0 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 1 mole caprolactone/mole and propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide /mole (example 16). The mixture is heated to 140° C., and the vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. 214.0 g ethylene oxide is added within 3 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 5 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 420.0 g of a light brown solid is obtained.

Example 36

Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide/mole

36 a Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole

In a 0.5 I four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, reflux condenser, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet 66.2 g hexamethylene diamine and 5.4 g potassium methylate (30% in methanol) are placed and heated to 90° C. At this temperature 260.2 g caprolactone is added within 0.5 hour. After complete addition of caprolactone, the reaction mixture is heated to 120° C. and is stirred for 7 hours at 120° C. ¹H-NMR in MeOD indicates complete conversion of caprolactone. 320.0 g of a light yellow oil is obtained (saponification value: 221.4 mgKOH/g). ¹³C-NMR shows 87.5% of primary amines are converted to amides, and 12.5% of primary amines remain unmodified.

36 b Hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole, propoxylated with 32 mole propylene oxide/mole

A 2 l autoclave is filled with 96.0 g hexamethylene diamine, reacted with 4 mole caprolactone/mole (example 8a) and heated to 80° C. The vessel is purged three times with nitrogen. The vessel is heated to 140° C. and 310.4 g propylene oxide is added within 4 h. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for additional 6 h at 140° C. The reaction mixture is stripped with nitrogen and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 80° C. 366.0 g of a highly viscous light yellow oil is obtained (saponification value: 56.9 mgKOH/g).

Comparative Example 1

PE1800+20 EO/NH, synthesized as described in WO9532272

Comparative Example

Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, ethoxylated with 20 mole ethylene oxide per mole of NH-functionality

Comparative Example 1a

Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, ethoxylated with 1 mole ethylene oxide per mole of NH-functionality

A 5 I autoclave is charged with 1943.0 g of a polyethylenimine with an average molecular weight of 800 g/mol and 97.0 g water. The reactor is purged three times with nitrogen and heated to 110° C. 1789.0 g ethylene oxide is added within 14 hours. To complete the reaction, the reaction mixture is allowed to post-react for 5 hours. Water and volatile compounds are removed in vacuo at 90° C. A highly viscous yellow oil (3688.0 g, water content: 2.6%, pH: 11.05 (5% in water)) is obtained.

Comparative Example 1 b

Polyethylene imine, molecular weight 800 g/mole, ethoxylated with 20 mole ethylene oxide per mole of NH-functionality

Product similar to comparative example 1 a (144.6 g, 92.7% in water) and 4.34 g potassium hydroxide (50% in water) are placed in a 2 l autoclave. The mixture is heated under vacuum (<10 mbar) to 120° C. and stirred for 2 hours to remove water. The reactor is purged three times with nitrogen and the mixture is heated to 140° C. 1470.7 g ethylene oxide is added within 14 hours. To complete the reaction, the mixture is allowed to post-react for 5 hours. Volatile compounds are removed in vacuo. 1615.0 g of a slightly brown solid were obtained (melting point: 35.4° C.).

Biodegradation

Biodegradation in wastewater was tested in triplicate using the OECD 301F manometric respirometry method. 30 mg/mL test substance is inoculated into wastewater taken from Mannheim Wastewater Treatment Plant and incubated in a closed flask at 25° C. for 28 days. The consumption of oxygen during this time is measured as the change in pressure inside the flask using an OxiTop® C (Xylem Analytics Germany Sales GmbH & Co KG). Evolved CO₂ is absorbed using an NaOH solution. The amount of oxygen consumed by the microbial population during biodegradation of the test substance, after correction using a blank, is expressed as a % of the ThOD (Theoretical Oxygen Demand).

TABLE 1a Saponification Biodegradation value 28 days 56 days [mgKOH/g] [%] [%] Comparative PEI800 + 20 EO/NH 0 <20 <20 example 1b Example 1 PEI800 + 9.0 28 34 0.5 Caprolactone/NH + 20 EO/NH Example 2 PEI800 + n.a. 43 46 1.0 Caprolactone/NH + 10 EO/NH Example 3 PEI800 + 28.4 38 43 1.0 Caprolactone/NH + 20 EO/NH Example 4 PEI800 + 65.7 50 52 2.0 Caprolactone/NH + 20 EO/NH Example 5 PEI800 + 13.1 43 47 0.25 lactide/NH + 20 EO/NH Example 6 PEI800 + 8.7 23 28 0.5 γ-Butyrolactone/NH + 20 EO/NH Example 7 N4 amine + 21.1 43 49 4.0 caprolactone/mole + 80 EO/mole

TABLE 1b Biodegradation 28 days [%] Comparative PEI800 + 20 EO/NH <20 example 1b Example 8  PEI800 + 1,0 Caprolacton/NH + 5 EO/NH + 34 19 EO/NH + 16 PO/NH Example 9  PEI800 + 1,0 Caprolacton/NH + 15 PO/NH 27 Example 10 (PEI800 + 1,0 Caprolacton/NH + 15 PO/NH) + 24 EO/NH Example 11 HMDA + 0,25 Caprolacton/mol + 12 PO/mol 37 Example 12 HMDA + 0,25 Caprolacton/mol + 32 PO/mol 49 Example 13 HMDA + 0,25 Caprolacton/mol + 60 PO/mol 16 Example 14 HMDA + 0,25 Caprolacton/mol + 60 PO/mol + 40 EO/mol Example 15 HMDA + 1 Caprolacton/mol + 12 PO/mol 50 Example 16 HMDA + 1 Caprolacton/mol + 32 PO/mol 60 Example 17 HMDA + 1 Caprolacton/mol + 60 PO/mol 23 Example 18 HMDA + 1 Caprolacton/mol + 32 PO/mol + 32 EO/mol Example 19 HMDA + 4 Caprolacton/mol + 12 PO/mol 75 Example 20 HMDA + 4 Caprolacton/NH + 20 PO/mol 72 Example 21 HMDA + 4 Caprolacton/mol + 32 PO/mol 74 Example 22 N4 amin + 2 Caprolacton/mol + 12 PO/mol Example 23 N4 amin + 2 Caprolacton/mol + 64 PO/mol Example 24 DETA + 1,5 Caprolacton/mol + 12 PO/mol Example 25 DETA + 1,5 Caprolacton/mol + 48 PO/mol Example 26 1,3-Propandiamin + 1 Caprolacton/mol + 12 PO/mol Example 27 1,3-Propandiamin + 1 Caprolacton/mol + 32 PO/mol Example 28 MCDA + 1 Caprolacton/mol + 12 PO/mol Example 29 MCDA + 1 Caprolacton/mol + 32 PO/mol Example 30 HMDA + 1 g-Butyrolactone/mol + 12 PO/mol Example 31 HMDA + 1 g-Butyrolactone/mol + 32 PO/mol Example 32 HMDA + 1 Caprolacton/mol + 60 PO/mol + 16 90 EO/mol Example 33 (HMDA + 1 Caprolacton/mol) + 90 EO/mol + 17 60 PO/mol Example 34 (HMDA + 1 Caprolacton/mol) + 90 EO/mol + 11 60 PO/mol random Example 35 (HMDA + 1 Caprolacton/mol + 32 PO/mol) + 13 48 EO/mol

Application Test for Washing Machine

The soiled swatches are washed together with cotton ballast fabric (3.5 kg) and 1 soil ballast sheet wfk SBL 2004 in a Miele Household washing machine with cotton shirt program 30° C. After the wash the fabrics are dried in the air.

The washing performance is determined using the MACH5 multi area color measurement which gives LAB values and ΔE calculated between unwashed and washed stain. The higher the value, the better is the performance.

TABLE 2 Washing conditions Test equipment Miele Softtronic W1935 WTL Washing program Cotton short 30° C., 1200 U/min. Dosage 30 ml Test detergent Washing cycles 1 Water hardness 2.5 mmol/l Ca²⁺:Mg²⁺:HCO₃ ⁻ 4:1:8 Ballast fabric 3.5 kg cotton towels 1 SBL 2004 ³⁾ Soiled fabric CFT- ¹⁾ CFT- ²⁾ ¹⁾ ²⁾ Producer: Center for Testmaterials BV, NL-3130 AC Vlaardingen ³⁾ Producer: wfk Testgewebe GmbH, Christenfeld 10, D-41379 Brueggen

TABLE 3 Composition of the test detergent [% weight] calculated Ingredient 100% active C₁₃C₁₅-Oxo alcohol with 7 EO 5.4 Linear C₁₀C₁₃ alkyl benzene 5.5 sulfonic acid Coco fatty acid K 12-18 2.4 C₁₂C₁₄-Fatty alcohol ethersulfate 5.4 (2EO), Na- NaOH 2.2 1,2 Propylene glycol 6.0 Ethanol 2.0 Water Up to 100

TABLE 4 Applications Example 2 Example 3 No polymer PEI800 + PEI800 + added 1.0 Caprolactone/NH + 1.0 Caprolactone/NH + 10 EO/NH 20 EO/NH soil Δ E Δ E PCH144 red 18.8 21.4 21.0 pottery clay C-S-01 blood, 12.5 13.8 13.8 aged C-S-70 chocolate 23.3 25.0 24.5 mousse

Primary Cleaning Performance on Oily/Fatty Stains

To determine the primary detergency, the cleaning performance on 16 different oily/fatty stains on cotton, polycotton and polyester fabrics (CFT, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands) was measured by determining the color difference (delta E) between the stains after wash and the unsoiled white fabric using a reflectometer (Datacolor SF600 plus). Each experiment containing the 16 different circular oily/fatty stains (Lipstick, Make-Up, Beef Fat, Frying Fat, Burnt Butter, Palm Oil, Sebum BEY, Sebum Tefo, Collar Stain; All on different fabrics) was repeated 6 times, and the obtained data was used to calculate the average delta E value.

By using these delta E values, the so-called “standardized cleaning performance” (delta delta E) has been calculated for each individual stain. The “standardized cleaning performance” (delta delta E) is the difference of the performance of the laundry detergent including the inventive biodegradable amphiphilic alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or alkoxylated polyamine polymer or comparative polymer, respectively, vs. the laundry detergent w/o any inventive biodegradable amphiphilic alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or alkoxylated polyamine polymer or comparative polymer, respectively.

Table 5 shows the composition of the laundry detergent, Table 6 shows the washing test conditions and Table 7 summarizes the obtained standardized cleaning performance. The standardized cleaning performance shown in Table 7 is the sum of the standardized cleaning performance of all 16 stains. The bigger the sum of the delta delta E value, the bigger the positive contribution of the inventive biodegradable amphiphilic alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or alkoxylated polyamine polymer or comparative polymer, respectively, on the cleaning performance.

TABLE 5 Composition of the liquid laundry detergent. Ingredients LLD.1 * Linear C₁₂C₁₄-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid 5.50 C₁₂-fatty alcohol × 2 EO sulfate 5.40 C₁₂C₁₅-fatty alcohol × 7 EO 5.40 Coconut C12-C18 fatty acid 2.40 Sodium hydroxide 2.20 1,2-Propylene glycol 6.00 Ethanol 2.00 Sodium citrate 3.00 Demin. water add 100 pH value 8.5 * All data are wt % active ingredient, independent of the respective product form.

TABLE 6 Washing conditions forevaluation of primary cleaning performance on oily/fatty stains. Washing conditions Device Launder-O-Meter from SDL Atlas, Rock Hill, USA Washing liquor 250 mL Washing time 60 minutes Washing temperature 30° C. Detergent concentration 3.0 g/L Water hardness (Ca:Mg:HCO3) 2.5 mmol/L (4:1:8) (14 °dH) Fabric to liquor ratio 1:10 Biodegradable amphiphilic alkoxylated 2.83% by weight (vs. liquid laundry detergent) of the polyalkylene imine polymer or polymer, 100% active ingredient alkoxylated polyamine or comparative polymer addition Test fabric * 16 different circular oily/fatty stains (KC-H122, KC- H176, KC-H015, KC-H187, PC-H082, PC-H212, PC-H210, PC-H252, P-H122, P-H129, P-H015, P- H187, P-H082, P-H212, P-H210, P-H252) (CFT, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands) Ballast fabric Polyester and cotton ballast, to yield a 1:1 ratio of polyester/cotton fabric per experiment * After the washing experiment, the test fabrics were rinsed with 14 °dH water (2 times), followed by drying at ambient room temperature overnight, prior to the measurement with the reflectometer.

TABLE 7 Results from washing tests (primary cleaning performance on oily/fatty stains). Concentration of Standardized cleaning Detergent Polymer polymeric additive * performance (sum delta delta E) LLD.1 Example 8  2.83 wt % 47.3 LLD.1 Example 9  2.83 wt % 40.2 LLD.1 Example 10 2.83 wt % 17.5 LLD.1 Comp. Ex. 1b 2.83 wt % 0.2 * All data are wt % active ingredient, independent of the respective product form.

A standardized cleaning performance lower than 10 (sum delta delta E) is not significant/not visible. 

1. An alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or an alkoxylated polyamine of the general formula (I)

in which the variables are each defined as follows: R represents identical or different, i) linear or branched C₂-C₁₂-alkylene radicals or ii) an etheralkyl unit of the following formula (III):

in which the variables are each defined as follows: R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² represent identical or different, linear or branched C₂-C₆-alkylene radicals and d is an integer having a value in a range of 0 to 50 or iii) C₅-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radicals optionally substituted with at least one C₁-C₃-alkyl; B represents a continuation of the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine by branching; y and z are each an integer having a value in a range of 0 to 150, under the provisio that both z and y are 0 in case R are C₅-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radicals optionally substituted with at least one C₁-C₃-alkyl; E1, E2 and E4 represent an identical or different residue according to formula (IIa) or an identical or different residue according to formula (IIb), wherein the residue according to formula (IIa) is an alkylenoxy unit defined as follows

in which the variables are each defined as follows: R¹ represents C₂-C₂₂-(1,2-alkylene) radicals; R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl and/or C₇-C₂₂-aralkyl in case z is an integer ≥1 within general formula (I), or R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl and/or C₇-C₂₂-aralkyl in case z is 0 within general formula (I); R³ represents linear or branched C₁-C₂₂-alkylene radicals; m is an integer having a value of 1 to 10; n is an integer having a value of 5 to 100; and wherein the residue according to formula (IIb) is an alkylenoxy unit defined as follows

in which the variables are defined as follows: R^(l) represents C₂-C₂₂-(1,2-alkylene) radicals; R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₂₂-alkyl and/or C₇-C₂₂-aralkyl; n is an integer having a value of 5 to 100; E3 is hydrogen in case E2 is a residue according to formula (IIa) or E3 is a residue according to formula (IIb); E5 is hydrogen in case E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) or E5 is a residue according to formula (IIb); wherein 20 to 100% of a total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 50 to 100% of a total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).
 2. The alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or alkoxylated polyamine according to claim 1, wherein R represents identical or different, i) linear or branched C₂-C₁₂-alkylene radicals, or ii) C₅-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radicals optionally substituted with at least one C₁-C₃-alkyl.
 3. The alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine according to claim 1, wherein within formulas (IIa) and/or (IIb) the variables are each defined as follows: R¹ represents 1,2-ethylene, 1,2-propylene or 1,2-butylene; and/or R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl; and/or R³ represents linear or branched C₂-C₁₀-alkylene radicals; and/or m is an integer having a value in a range of 1 to 5; and/or n is an integer having a value in a range of 8 to 40; and/or 50 to 100% of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 80 to 100% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).
 4. The alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine according to claim 1, wherein a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of a polyalkylene imine backbone or of a polyamine backbone lies in a range of 50 to 10 000 g/mol.
 5. The alkoxylated polyalkylene imine according to claim 1, wherein the variables are each defined as follows: R is ethylene or propylene; the sum of y+z is an integer having a value in a range of 9 to
 120. 6. The alkoxylated polyalkylene imine according to claim 5, wherein R is ethylene or propylene; the sum of y+z is an integer having a value in the range of 9 to 120; R¹ represents 1,2-ethylene; R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl; R³ represents linear or branched C₂-C₁₀-alkylene radicals; m is an integer having a value in a range of 1 to 5; n is an integer having a value in a range of 8 to 40; 50 to 100% of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 80 to 100% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).
 7. The alkoxylated polyalkylene imine according to claim 5, wherein the variables are each defined as follows: R is ethylene; the sum of y+z is an integer having a value in a range of 10 to 20; R¹ represents 1,2-ethylene; R² represents hydrogen; R³ represents linear or branched C₂-C₅-alkylene radicals; m is an integer having a value in a range of 1 to 3; n is an integer having a value in a range of 10 to 25; wherein 90 to 100% of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 85 to 95% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).
 8. The alkoxylated polyamine according to claim 1, wherein y is an integer having a value in a range of 0 to 10; z is 0; R represents identical or different, linear or branched C₂-C₁₂-alkylene radicals or an etheralkyl unit according to formula (III), wherein d is from 1 to 5, and R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² are independently selected from the group consisting of linear or branched C3 to C4 alkylene radicals.
 9. The alkoxylated polyamine according to claim 8, wherein R¹ represents 1,2-ethylene; R² represents hydrogen and/or C₁-C₄-alkyl; R³ represents linear or branched C₂-C₁₀-alkylene radicals; m is an integer having a value in a range of 1 to 5; n is an integer having a value in the range of 8 to 40; y is an integer having a value in the range of 1 to 10; wherein 50 to 100% of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 80 to 100% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).
 10. The alkoxylated polyamine according to claim 8, wherein R is ethylene or propylene; R¹ represents 1,2-ethylene; R² represents hydrogen; R³ represents linear or branched C₂-C₅-alkylene radicals; m is an integer having a value in a range of 1 to 3; n is an integer having a value in a range of 10 to 25; y is an integer having a value in a range of 2 to 4; wherein 90 to 100% of the total amount of E2 and E4 is a residue according to formula (IIa) and 90 to 100% of the total amount of E1 is a residue according to formula (IIb).
 11. The alkoxylated polyamine according to claim 1, wherein y is 0; z is 0; and R represents identical or different C₅-C₁₀-cycloalkylene radicals optionally substituted with at least one C₁-C₃-alkyl.
 12. The alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine according to claim 1, wherein up to 100% of nitrogen atoms present in the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine are quaternized
 13. A method of using the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine according to claim 1, the method comprising: using the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine in laundry detergents, in cleaning compositions, in fabric and home care products, in cosmetic formulations, as crude oil emulsion breaker, in pigment dispersions for ink jet inks, in formulations for electro plating, in cementitious compositions and/or as dispersant for agrochemical formulations.
 14. A process for preparing the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine according to claim 1, wherein a polyalkylene imine backbone or a polyamine backbone is first reacted with at least one lactone and/or at least one hydroxy carbon acid and then with at least one C₂-C₂₂-epoxide in order to obtain the respective alkoxylated compounds.
 15. The process according to claim 14 wherein, per mol of N—H functionalities in the polyalkylene imine or the polyamine, the respective polyalkylene imine backbone or polyamine backbone is reacted with at least 0.05 moles of at least one lactone and/or at least one hydroxy carbon acid and then with at least 5 moles of least one C₂-C₂₂-epoxide.
 16. The process according to claim 14, wherein the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine is additionally quaternized.
 17. The process according to claim 14, wherein the lactone is caprolactone, the hydroxy carbon acid is lactic acid and/or the C₂-C₂₂-epoxide is ethylene oxide.
 18. A laundry detergent, a cleaning composition, a fabric and home care product, a cosmetic formulation, a crude oil emulsion breaker, a pigment dispersion for ink jet inks, a formulation for electro plating, a cementitious composition and/or a dispersant for agrochemical formulations, comprising at least one alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or alkoxylated polyamine according to claim
 1. 19. The alkoxylated polyamine according to claim 1, wherein y is 0; z is 0; and R is at least one C₆-C₇-cycloalkylene radical substituted with at least one methyl or ethyl.
 20. The alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine according to claim 1, wherein up to 100% of nitrogen atoms present in the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine are quaternized, and wherein the degree of quaternization of the nitrogen atoms present in the alkoxylated polyalkylene imine or the alkoxylated polyamine lies in a range of 10% to 95%. 